The hike up Mt. LeConte to LeConte Lodge has been a tradition in Kyle's family for many years. While I only joined in on the tradition four years ago, it has become one of those events that I look forward to every year. It's a chance to unplug and unwind, get some exercise, breathe some fresh air, be outside, explore, enjoy each other's company and go just a little bit outside of our comfort zones (going to the bathroom in the middle of the night with bears on the loose is scary I tell you). To top it off, watching the sunset over the Great Smoky Mountains from Cliff Tops is, quite simply, magical. We've been a lot of places, seen a lot of sunsets...but Kyle and I both agree, this one still tops them all!

The Havasupai are an American Indian tribe who have lived in the Grand Canyon for over 800 years. Supai, the town in which the Havasupai live, is one of the most remote cities in the contiguous United States. It is located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and is only accessible by driving 60 miles on Indian Road 18 to the trailhead at Hualapai Hilltop, then hiking 8 miles to the village and another 2 to the campground. There is also a helicopter option to get to the village, but I would highly recommend the hike. In total, if you want to see all of the falls including Beaver Falls, you will walk 28-30 miles, but this experience is worth every single step!

Sedona is one of the most uniquely beautiful places I have ever been. When Kyle and I went a few weeks ago, we flew into Phoenix and drove to our hotel in the dark. As we arrived at Enchantment Resort and Spa, everyone on staff, from the guard at the gate to the front desk clerk, kept saying to us, "Enjoy the sunrise!" So, though we hadn't planned on it, we thought, "Well I guess we should get up for sunrise!" As we walked out of our "casita" in the pre-dawn light, we finally saw what we had been missing...

Last week was a milestone, I finally hit the big 3-0 and I'm thankful to report it doesn't have to be scary or an outright depressing day. In fact, with a little planning, it can be quite the adventure! Two days before my birthday, Kyle and I hiked into the Grand Canyon to Supai Village to take in the amazing waterfalls of Havasupai. We spent two nights in the village so that I spent my birthday morning climbing out of the Grand Canyon, completing a 3 day, 30 mile hike. It was the greatest experience of my life and I could not think of a better way to bring in a new decade. So here are 30 words that describe my feelings and goals for 30.

A little over two hours outside of Atlanta, in the Appalachian mountains, lies the town of Highlands, North Carolina. With a permanent population of less than 1,000 (it can swell to upwards of 20,000 when you throw in a few tourists) this tiny town is huge on mountain charm.